In the newspaper today ..

By RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 20 November 2008

Partner 'absolutely devastated' by crane operator's death

For Allan Peacock's loved ones it still feels like he isn't really gone.

It feels like he is away on one of his long-haul truck runs and he'll be coming home soon.

The 38-year-old crane operator was killed in a freak crane accident at McCurdy Engineering's New Plymouth yard on Monday, hit in the head by a flying D-link bolt after a strop broke while he was moving a load of heavy gas cylinders.

Yesterday, Mr Peacock's sister-in-law Jan Applegarth said his partner (her sister) Robyn Roper was still too distressed to talk about the accident.

"She's devastated, absolutely devastated," Mrs Applegarth said.

"She's trying to put a brave face on it but I know deep down she's hurting big time because she's lost her soul mate."

Mr Peacock had worked for Roebuck Cranes for about three months.

A truck lover, he had previously worked for seven years as a truck driver for Symons Transport, driving long-haul runs to the South Island.

He had left the job so he could spend more time at home, Mrs Applegarth said.

"He was away lots, missed Christmas and things and this Christmas was going to be his first at home for a while."

Mr Peacock was born in Wellington and grew up in South Taranaki.

He was known for wearing a beanie and sunglasses and a very safety-conscious attitude.

He was wearing a safety helmet when he was killed, Mrs Applegarth said.

He loved fishing, squash and camping with Miss Roper and his nephews, nieces and other family members at the back of his brother-in-law's farm, Mrs Applegarth said.

"They did it every year with the kids, just chilling out with them on my brother's farm," she said.

"He loved teasing the young ones, you know, have them on like you do, give them a bit of a tickle.

"He was well-knowledged in a lot of things and could do a lot of things, a very handy-man type person, he would have a go at anything.

"He was quite a quiet person, but he also knew how to have a joke with you as well."

Mrs Applegarth said her sister had been swamped with phone calls, flowers and messages of support from people and wanted to thank them all for their support.

She said her sister didn't want anybody to be blamed for the accident.

"It's just one of those things, it's life and you have to accept it, she knows and we all know.

"It's tragic. It's going to take a long time to get over for all of us really because he was like a brother not a brother-in-law."